An AWIPS image of the MTSAT-2 IR channel with an overlay of ASCAT scatterometer winds (below) showed a core of strong winds (greater than 48 knots, red wind vectors) surrounding the eye of Nida; the maximum ASCAT wind speed at that time was only 62 knots in the northern quadrant (but ASCAT wind speeds in excess of 34 knots tend to be underestimated).

MTSAT-2 IR image + ASCAT scatterometer winds

A MODIS 11.0 Âµm IR image (below) depicted the very cold cloud tops within the eyewall region, with a minimum value of -87Âº C(black to gray color enhancement). However, there were some incredibly cold cloud tops of -97ÂºÂ C(violet color enhancement) in one of the outer bands in the northwest quadrant of Nida.

MODIS 11.0 Âµm IR image

An animation of the MIMIC morphed POES microwave images (below) showed a contracting eyewall as the typhoon was experiencing rapid intensification just southwest of the island of Guam.

MIMIC morphed microwave image animation

UPDATE: A microwave image from the DMSP SSM/IS instrument (below) revealed a concentric eyewall structure at 19:43 UTC. A couple of hours later, the 21:00 UTC advisory from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center listed the winds of Super Typhoon Nida at 160 knots with gusts to 195 knots!